Start8

What is Start8? (from Stardock)

We put the "Start" menu back in Windows 8. We accurately recreated the most used desktop feature billions of users depend on every day and packed it with additional functionality. Windows 7-style Start menu with Windows 8 enhancements.

Overview

Start8 is a program developed by Stardock. The most used version is 1.0, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. Upon installation and setup, it defines an auto-start registry entry which makes this program run on each Windows boot for all user logins. It adds a background controller service that is set to automatically run. Delaying the start of this service is possible through the service manager. The software is designed to connect to the Internet and adds a Windows Firewall exception in order to do so without being interfered with. The main program executable is Start8Srv.exe. The software installer includes 32 files and is usually about 13.47 MB (14,120,276 bytes). In comparison to the total number of users, most PCs are running the OS Windows 8 as well as Windows 7 (SP1). While about 35% of users of Start8 come from the United States, it is also popular in Germany and France.

About Stardock

3 comments

Error posting comment.

'Your comment has been posted to the moderator, it should be approved shortly. Thank you for commenting!'

Pick a name

jrc-fc•over a year ago

Program works, sort-of. But typing in the search box displays a font that is outsized (obsure, hard to read) and cannot be corrected by changing screen fonts or resolution. This might qualify as an early experimental beta of a beta, not by any stretch a finished program, worthy of spending money - even $5

WasSatisfyUntil •over a year ago

Problem with Start8 after updating to Win8.1 . Cant uninstall the program.

Yoho•over a year ago

It's a fantastic add on for those who want to bring back the start menu, it's even possible to remove the charms and bars of windows 8 from inside Start8. The problem is that I don't know how to uninstall apps from within the start 8 menu, and also the pc hangs up sometimes with the dock installed, but these are minor issues of a very good product. I hope they get fixed soon though.